Health: Are Americans Healthy? (cont.)

Life expectancy in the United States reached an all time high in 2001, and
the gap between blacks and whites has narrowed, according to the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services' (HHS) annual report on the Nation's health. The
report also finds evidence that the diabetes epidemic is getting worse; between
1997 and 2002, the percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes increased by 27
percent.

"While this report shows we're continuing to make
progress in improving Americans' health, we know that we can do much more to
reduce the impact of diabetes and other chronic, preventable diseases," HHS
Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "There are simple steps we can all take, such
as eating wisely and staying active, that can reduce the toll that diabetes,
obesity, and heart disease
take on our lives."

Health, United States, 2003 is a comprehensive report
with the latest statistics from Federal health agencies, the U.S. Census Bureau,
population surveys, and other data. The report was prepared by the National
Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in HHS' Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and is the 27th annual report to the President and Congress, as
required by The Public Health Service Act.

In a special section on diabetes, the report notes that
6.5 percent of American adults were diagnosed with diabetes in 2002 compared
with 5.1 percent in 1997. Another recent study shows that about 12 million
adults have been diagnosed with diabetes and an additional 5 million adults have
the condition
but don't know it.

An estimated 12 million adults have impaired fasting glucose tolerance and many of these
will go on to develop diabetes unless they successfully adopt changes in weight
management and physical activity -- steps that can prevent and reduce obesity,
which is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. In addition,
visits to physician offices and hospitals for diabetes have increased
dramatically since the mid-1990s.

Diabetes was the fifth leading cause of death among women and sixth among men
in 2001. People with diabetes run the risk of severe complications, including
heart disease, chronic kidney disease, blindness, and amputations.

"Prevention is the only sure way to stem this epidemic," said Dr. Julie
Gerberding, CDC director. "By eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular
physical activity, individuals can greatly reduce their risk of developing type
2 diabetes."